University of Wisconsin President Ray Cross on Tuesday asked the Legislature's budget-writing committee to approve a new public authority for the UW System, a "dedicated and stable funding stream" and to reduce the governor's proposed $300 million budget cut over the next two years.

Shortly after he finished his testimony, a handful of protesters burst into the room shouting, "No cuts, no deals." Followed by four Capitol police officers, the protesters marched past the table where Cross was sitting to give testimony before the Joint Committee on Finance.

If Park Bank is liable for not spotting Sujata "Sue" Sachdeva's $34 million embezzlement from Koss Corp. and has to reimburse the company, Koss Chief Executive Michael Koss should also be ordered to personally pay the public company he runs, the bank argues in a new lawsuit.

Grant Thornton, Koss Corp.'s former auditor, should also have to pay a portion of any award that may be ordered, Park Bank argued in the latest twist in a long-running court fight stemming from Sachdeva's massive embezzlement.

"Park Bank denies any and all liability to Koss in this case," the bank said in its action. "Nevertheless, should Park Bank be found liable to Koss (Corp.) and required to pay damages to Koss, in this case, those damages will have been the result of a common liability of Park Bank, Michael Koss and Grant Thornton, thereby entitling Park Bank to (a) contribution from Michael Koss and Grant Thornton."(3)

Scenes from Lambeau Field parking lot

Five friends from Fall River left home at 8 a.m. to get to Lambeau Field and tailgate before the "Return to Titletown" event. Like most tailgaters they brought grub and beverages from home. Because of the subzero wind chills today they couldn't get the grill started. So they walked across the street to buy a lighter which set them back $3.

Then they found out, it wasn't just the lighter. They couldn't get the propane grill to work. So their brats were still lying forlornly on the grill, nice and cold, as they ate chips and Nilla Wafers and drank diet Coke and Mountain Dew.

Kyle Ploeckelman was in charge of the grill. He looked sheepish when asked why he and his high school buddies weren't chowing down on brats but no one seemed to mind. Ploeckelman's bottle of water already had ice in it, courtesy of the cold temperatures.

"It was warmer in the cooler," said Ploeckelman, adding that he and his friends were taking the day off from school. "This is more important."

Added his friend Ben Grohn: "The Packers just won the Super Bowl, why wouldn't we come?"

For Jacob Beringer, Jeremy Swearingen and Jacob Hoppe of Butler, it was the cheapest way for them to get into Lambeau Field. Beringer and Swearingen had never been to the hallowed ground. This is Hoppe's third visit.

Beringer bought their Return to Titletown tickets at 3:30 p.m. Monday and heard from a friend who tried to buy them online at 6:15 that the $5 tickets were sold out by then.

"I was 4 years old when the Packers last won the Super Bowl so we decided to come out," said Hoppe, who is studying fire science at MATC with hopes of becoming a Milwaukee firefighter.

"Who knows when they'll win the Super Bowl again?" added Beringer.

Swearingen and Beringer, who are finishing their senior year at Sussex Hamilton High School, report for Army basic training this summer. Even though they'll be busy, both vowed to find a way to watch the Packers on TV next season wherever they're stationed in the military.

Parking was nice and cheap in the Lambeau Field parking lots - free. Many tailgaters said there's no way they can get this close to the stadium on a game day. Like Kevin and Penny Hujet and Mark and Tammy Selissen who have season tickets and must park farther from the stadium.

The Green Bay couples come to Packer games together and today brought four of their children as they tailgated, played dice with a large bucket and softball-sized dice, and grilled hot dogs and bratwurst. None of their kids are old enough to remember when the Packers last brought home the Lombardi trophy.

Tammy Selissen got online as soon as she could on Monday and bought "Return to Titletown" tickets 6 minutes after they went on sale at 9 a.m.

Though many people tailgated by standing around grills or reclined on folding chairs, Becky Rutowski and Chris Jakubowski sat in Rutowski's warm minivan while Rutowski's 14-year-old son and a friend shopped inside. The St. Joseph's Hospital third shift nurses nursed bottles of Mike's Hard Lemonade and Smirnoff berry drink and snacked on Wheat Thins Stix.

The co-workers have watched the Super Bowl together for the last four years and decided to come together to welcome the Packers home. Jakubowski came in 1997 when the Packers returned to Lambeau Field from the airport with the Super Bowl trophy.

"This is much better than standing out in the cold so long for the parade. That was horrible," said Jakubowski.

Rutowski's son was born in late November 1996 and she scheduled his baptism on what turned out to be the day of the NFC Championship.

"I think the family is over it by now," Rutowski said.

"It was a quick dip and get out," said Jakubowski.

About Meg Jones

Meg Jones is a general assignment reporter who specializes in military and veterans issues. Meg was part of a team that was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2003, and has been honored by the Milwaukee Armed Forces Committee for her coverage.